Archive News Post

I've gotten into the habit of copying all articles I find on Asatru/Heathenry in the news as a post on my LJ for archiving, it saves me research later. So this post is really for my own purposes, and has already hit several different groups I'm on.

(AP) An inmate is suing the Utah Department of Corrections for denying him his right to practice an ancient Nordic religion while behind bars.

Michael Polk is serving time for aggravated assault and robbery. He filed a lawsuit against corrections officials in federal court, accusing them of denying him religious items that he says are necessary to practice the Asatru religion.

In the lawsuit, Polk says he has been a member of the Asatru faith since 2005, and in order to properly practice it he needs items including: a Thor's Hammer, a prayer cloth, a Mead Horn used for drinking Wassail, a drum made of wood and boar skin, a rune staff and a sword.

Honestly speak, even a horn and altar cloth isn't needed. You are your deeds. That is how you practice your faith, in word and in deeds. If you want to give libation, you can find means to do so. Set aside part of your food and consciously declare it as going to The Gods. And you can do this at a normal meal. You don't need a horn, you can use a paper cup, and I have for some off the cuff stuff.

My feelings are, you're in jail, and yes you better believe you're there to be punished and that means, just like you don't have a TV in your jail cell, that certain items aren't your right to have. You should have access to reasonable reading materials, if in a lesser security area MAYBE some piece of religious jewelry if the other faiths are permitted that. or perhaps a basic prison-decreed safe plate and cup so you can do offerings on/from, that's it in my opinion.